That belt pulley was most often used to power workplace hazards. There was an amazing selection of hazards available back then and most came as standard equipment. The aftermarket hazards that were available would amaze you, but the most incredible inventions of all were the hazards that a farmer built himself.
My grandpa had a firewood chopsaw made out of wood and spit that could be driven by sucha pulley and in deed was using a belt made out of a discarded fire hose.
@@TheFool2cool true, but there is equipment that could be profitable and yet simple enough the common man can work on. Unfortunately that technology is 40 to 60 years old and has been regulated out of production.
There’s a simple solution for those who don’t want the commentary - mute their RUclips video player. I enjoy the commentary, as well as your sense of humor.
Running a 2020 John Deere in 2093 would be quite a thing, with having to scrounge up replacement computer parts, programming the proprietary firmware, and then getting sued by JD's immortal lawyers for daring to touch their IP. Definitely seeing the appeal of these old tractors :) Our 1960s International back on the farm was a great tractor too, never missed a beat and super easy to maintain by ourselves.
I have a B and 630. There is a small mesh screen in the sediment bowl originally, use NAPA Part 3039 to replace it. NAPA Screen and filter combo will keep the crude out 👍If everything is right, you do not need to choke the carb, it will fire right up even in cold weather. A repair business here in Ohio will gun drill all the passages back to spec. The cheap carb repair kits only scratch the surface.
These old tractors were about as complicated as a nail. They were made with the expectation that the farmer would work on them. My late father told me about the time he was using his Farmall "H" and it started to knock. He pulled the oil pan and found a loose rod bearing. He went to the local IH dealer and bought a new rod bearing insert, put it on and went back to farming!
Been there done that-it works fine. Just clean up the scuffed crank journal with emery cloth, check your clearance with plasti- gauge, good to go. Used the leather belt trick for emergency repair, make sure to soak leather in oil before installing it. Repair will get you through 1 hay cutting (small farm).🙂
I'd rather find a old abandoned piece of equipment on the side of the road and haul it home than to buy a new fancy pants rig that will cost me my life savings.
Because of that we repaired everything right where it broke. Between the service truck and set up tables we had an entire shop setting in the middle of fields at times. The only time one was loaded and hauled to town was when the rear differential housing broke, everything else on our older and new equipment was repaired/replaced where it stopped.
I’m sure you figured it out Wes, but for those who are watching and don’t know, that “hammering” noise he’s referring to from 9:54 to 10:14 is the magneto tripping (rotating).
That’s what I was wondering; did they put impulse couplers in tractor mags back then? I knew they did in at least one of the two aircraft magnetos. Cool video
It's actually an impulse magneto. When the shaft reaches a certain point the shaft is spun quickly by the impulse mechanism which results in a hotter spark. The faster a magneto spins the hotter the spark produced.
Hey Wes, you appeared to be smiling a lot during the video, I guess having a break from the electronic diagnosis work to back to basics mechanical repairs has its rewards in these modern times. Enjoyed the video.
I bought a 1976 JD tractor with 3 gardening attachments out of a guys backyard for $100. A little work and about $600 in parts, I have a fully functioning piece of equipment! His junk is absolutely my treasure.
My grandfather had 2 JD Bs. They had a compression release on both sides. Open them to start it. Then when it started you closed them. No battery. Coast it down a hill or crank it by hand. Great to see you working on one. I want to thank you for sharing. It brought back many happy times.
Mine didn’t have a crank. You opened the petcocks and spun the exposed flywheel by hand through the compression stroke. If it started, shut the petcocks, and when it warmed up, switch over to fuel oil and adjust the radiator lovers for proper temp. No water pump.
@@vmitchinson Oh, my. What a recipe for a fire! We found an ancient buzz saw on a type of platform that a long belt powered from the side can. Half twist to keep it on. No safety guards of any sort. Shudder. Cut a lot of firewood with it, and nobody died.
I have my late grandpa's 1946 Farmall H he bought brand new, arrived 76 years ago this month after a 9 month wait, he ordered it with his Army bonus in December of 1945.
When I grew up on a farm in Southern Illinois in the 40's and 50's there were a lot of farmers that owned the Farmall F20s and F30s. Many of the big farmers in Northern Illinois owned these tractors. I have driven a lot of them doing farm work. They were slow but work horses when you wanted to pull a big harrow or disc. Some of the farmers used the belt pulleys to grind grain for their livestock. The steering wheel caused the brakes to work on each back wheel according to which way you turned the steering wheel so the tractor could do a sharp turn. My father owned a F20 from the day he started farming until he died which was probably 40 years. My brother bought and restored several of them until he died. His son still has them in a storage building along with a lot of old cars. Thanks for the great video. It brings back lots of memories.
@@edwardmyers1746 Farm boys will be like that... I have seen Wes turn to his father for parts and advice. I've also seen him tearing his hair out over a carb in a pickup. Wasn't meant to be any kind of criticism. He is an _excellent_ mechanic from what I've watched over the years.
My grandfather and Dad ordered a B JUST BEFORE WWII - and the order was completed before pearl harbor so they got the tractor - it was 6 volt electric start with over drive trans and set up to run on kerosene (small tank to start on gas) and delivered with steel wheels - I made the mistake of letting my dad sell it back in the 70's - enjoy your videos Wes but man did this one bring back memories - nothing like the sound of a John Deer !!!!!!!
I think that everyone needs a Wes in their circle of friends. Someone who can troubleshoot and fix almost everything, has the patience of a Saint, is a gentlemen who's word is their bond and can entertain you with their knowledge and whit.
This video brings back a lot of memories. We have a family farm and we used to have Deere 600, 620, & 630. They are all setup virtually the same as this one. The sound of the engine and exhaust, the whine of the transmission and such as you drive. Those were the good old days lol back before cabs and AC and radios lol
It was nice to go for a tractor ride on green grass. I spent 2 hours yesterday on my 1953 Farmall M plowing 8 inches of new snow, March 12th, 2023. The old girl still runs well and works good. Bless those old tractors. Thanks for the ride, I could almost smell the green grass. I sold my 1941 hand start John Deere B to a friend 3 years ago. It still ran good too. I paid $200 bucks for it 30 years ago.
Thanks for the memories Wes!! I appreciate the work you let us in on. And needing an exterminator skill set to start / finish a repair is entertaining to say the least. We lived 200 miles from Grandma and Grandpa. We got to visit a couple times a year. Mom and Dad would load us up in the 65 Wildcat and we'd make book. Grandpa was always busy, and if he had field work to do, he'd go out to fire up his old JD (may have been a B). He'd leave the can on the exhaust for us and shoot it off when he started the tractor just to entertain us. I rode with him some, but it wasn't very far. I remember white knuckling him to hold on. I guess potentially mashing a young grandson into paste wasn't on his to do list. That long skinny hood and the feeling of balancing on a tightrope was VERY familiar. Those were simpler times... I did get to "help" with chores: feeding cotton seed cake to the cows, letting the chickens out and scattering feed for them, trying to rob a few nests of their eggs. The outhouse was the weirdest place. That's the first time I ever heard a cat purr and it scared the life out of me. It's a wonder I didn't fall in... She had a few kittens behind the paper goods bucket. Strange what you remember when you let the memories unfold....
I really enjoyed this. Back in 1987 I bought a 1968 Triumph Bonnieville motorcycle from a farmer in Jackson Tennessee. It had been stored in a shed and the gas tank was rusted out. You could poke your fingers in the bottom. I bought a new tank from a guy on Hemmings Motor News and it would run for about a minute. A friend of a friend said that I needed a zenier diode. I thought he was joking. I found an old motorcycle shop just south of town and they said "Oh yeah, we have a few". I bought two, It fired up and kept running. I bought it for $400 bucks and sold it for $900. I kick myself in the ass everyday for selling it. It was a classic.
You fix their cars. You fix their trucks. You fix their 50+ year old farm equipment. You fix their snow plows in the middle of winter. Seriously Wes, you are a huge asset to your community...I hope they appreciate you!
Meanwhile, they bring all the easy, moneymaking stuff to the other mechanics, leaving Wes with all the hard stuff, which he can't bill 12 hours per working day for, like they do.
I've got a 1947 BN John Deere, still runs good, everything works well on it, pulls a two bottom trip plow very well, I'm slowly going through it taking one peace at a time cleaning it up and painting it in my small shop, hope to have it done by next spring so I can plow the garden and drive it in the 4th of July Parade as well, Love your show, like to see you working on old stuff like tractors and pickups, I grew up riding my horse and a John Deere B.
That folks, was classic "Wes", the ability to jump from today to long yesterday and not skip a beat. Thanks for that Wes, was a nice throw back to your previous "old school" successes.. Priceless. Cheers!
When I was 8 the old man plopped me in the seat of a B. First machine I ever piloted. Pulled a New Holland rake around the Okiehomie bottomland until I got the nod to run the Allis when I was tall enough to reach the pedals. Your video looking out over the nose sure took me back. Only thing missing was ours had a straight pipe with a flapper that percolated in time to the two banger.
Love it! That thing is only 3 years older than I am, so it's continued life is just the kind of encouragement I need! She's pretty, too! Thank you, Russ!
I have a 1953 Farmall Super H that I use with a brush hog weekly. All original in Prescott Az. It sits all what we have of winter, and it starts immediately in spring. Amazing how a simple design performs so well decade after decade without out any problems. Nothing built today will be running 70 years from now. They are designed for failure so they will need repairs and replacement. Sad times lacking pride. Originally from the Southside of Chicago. Nice to be able to visit Illinois without having to be there, Great and best You tuber.
Thanks for bringing back the sounds of the B model, spent many summers riding when the paint was green, they really require two hands to operate what with the hand clutch
Had a good friend who passed away. He had 1 g model, 2 a models, a styled a and an unstyled a model. Rode them in many parades. All of his were handcrank and multi fuel. The simplicity us amazing and they still run and work. Great work as always Wes!!!
I'd say she's held up pretty well! My dad had a '38 "B". Hand started by spinning the flywheel. Same hand clutch you have there. Only other difference is that it had 2 fuel tanks. The small one at the back was for gas for starting the engine. The 2nd, larger tank, was filled with kerosene. Once the engine warmed up, we'd switch it over to the kerosene which was cheaper than gas back then.
The emulsion tube as you called it is the nozzle and definitely needed pulled out and cleaned, would have never ran well. To get the brass screws out of the carb, it helps to hit them with a handheld propane torch until you get a green flash. Let them cool, then use a well fitting screwdriver and they'll come right out (usually). Loving this video!
I have a '44 B and did that exact thing to get those brass plugs out. It's a good idea to run drills through those passages to clean them out. One of the antique parts suppliers had a kit with the 3 drills you need. (Sharps maybe). There is also a rebuild kit that has new plugs with it. The pivot screws in the bowl I had to get out by the hammer and punch method.
@@merrittderr9708 I've used the torch on the pivot screws too. An impact hammer works good on them too. I got my drills from Roberts Carb back in the day but I have heard their service has gone downhill since the original owner retired
My dad bought a farm in central Indiana when I was 8 years old (1964). My uncle always came from his farm and planted for us using, I am fairly certain, a JD 'B' just like this one. Brought back some sweet memories. Thank you for bringing it back to life!
This is one reason I watch your channel, you’re not afraid to take much of anything on, makes you interesting to watch. I grew up on a farm with a B model and a G model Deere, good tractors, but like anything else, it all comes down to maintenance and care of equipment. Thanks Wes, great video from my stand point sir.
Gotta love these old Johnny poppers. Rebuilt a 39A for my uncle when I was 16 years old. That’s when I discovered that these engines were a lot like the Harley Davidson engine where one piston fired a few degrees behind the other. I sure miss the time when you could open your window on a night in may and hear the spring frogs, whippoorwills and someone working ground in the distance on an ole Johnny counting them off.
Great video it,s good to see the vintage machinery still has a life and no where to plug a computer or diagnostic machine into just straight forward mechanics ,
Finished the video, great stuff and running good! For future reference, if you can get the ALL little plugs out with the tip I gave earlier, they really run a lot better if you carefully clean those passages, they control all the fuel flow for the idle circuit going to the needle adjustment
Wes, congrats on getting this "B" running again! I worked on a dairy farm in Maryland during my early teen years: drove John Deere "A" and "B" tractors, as well as a Ferguson-Ford and a Farmall. Last farm tractor I drove was a '63 John Deere 3010, which was a Cadillac compared to the old iron I used to drive. It was a treat seeing this ol' girl running again - thanks!
you are soooo much more than a typical mechanic ..... i thought i was a good mechanic , but you can and do fix soooooo much more than i ever have , it's incredible !!!!!!!!!! be proud of your accomplishments !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Electric start certainly makes things easier! I helped a friend get his hand-start Model B running again, and man if you don't have the carb set just right during start, it'll flood out. At that point you just have to heave the engine over and over with the throttle wide open and hope it clears out. Also, coolant level is very important on thermosiphon Model Bs. If the coolant level drops below the top of the radiator, no coolant will flow at all.
We always parked our tractors on a hill. Even the electric start 50 and 720. Give them a roll and bump the clutch in 5th gear. Easiest way to start one.
IDENTICAL model to what my grandpa had on his Ohio farm! This instantly brought a flood of wonderful memories back of growing up on that farm & driving his John Deere before I even was in school. Sure wish I could find one like this today !!!!! Many thanks for posting this, Wes !!
My last experience with a John Deere "B" was about 45 years ago, helping a couple of friends load one on a trailer, and haul it, don't even remember where we took it, but I remember being very tired, that darned thing was heavy, even when I was young and strong.
Mr Wess you have brought back so many memories. I can remember driving one of those bicycle tires tractor tractor's Down the road. In the fields. A lot of years. I don't know how many young people today could get up every morning at 4:30am Ready to go to the fields. Great content keep up the great work.
Ayo Wes, I don't comment on your vids a lot, but seriously, dude, I love your content. It's educational and entertaining. When I first came across your channel, you were rebuilding and painting a brake lathe I believe. Each of your uploads brings joy to my Saturdays.
Runs great and the top of the tank fix is something called Seal-All. It comes in a tube like tooth paste you may have to do it in several coats. The directions are on the packaging, my Dad used it all the time to "fix" gas tanks. Great video as always and Thanks.
Full watch! Much like! Now I have an "old JD tractor itch" even though our annual local parade was a couple weeks ago so now I don't know what I'd do with it!
Wes, the first tractor I drove was a jd “B”. I wasn’t strong enough to turn the steering wheel without stepping on the left or right brake also. Then I moved up to a 1954 jd 60 with power steering. That was in 1959 or 1960, 6 or 7 years old. Still farming with jd equipment that is a little bigger.
Several years ago I had the task of resurrecting several tractors from the 1940’s and1950’s that had been sitting for many years. It was a satisfying experience to find that parts were still available for these simpler old units. New batteries, spark plugs, points, condensers wires as necessary etc., fresh fuel and carburetors cleaned out made them all run and drive. This was for an estate auction and it made my day to see how much they all went for as a running, driving unit, compared to as found. As a Ford service technician, I have firsthand experience with parts obsolescence and can’t see modern tractors with all their electronics still working 70 years from now.
Impulse mag. A good practice with hand clutches is to leave them engaged. That way, you know that it is not in gear. More than one person has been run over by bumping the lever only to discover that it was in gear and it moved causing mayhem and injury. The throw-out bearing is not as critical on an over-center clutch because it's only really under pressure when moving from one position to the other. That said, the bushing between the crank and the driven plate does then take the relative motion so that's the other reason to keep it engaged. Nice original condition tractor - I would love to have one (and the acreage to put it on). There's supposed to be a gauze sitting on that fuel bowl intake, about an inch or so long
The JD that I used through sophomore of high school had a flywheel starter. What fun coming down the hill from the pasture as it would talk to you. Yes, I am that old at 75. Thank you.
I just restored a 1941 9N fuel tank was also rust through on the top. Same issue, rodents and probably 80 years of dirt. Was not expecting that. Love your videos. Keep it up
i just stumbled across your channel. THANK YOU. i'm a retired high end volvo"tecnition". this brought me back to my roots. now i gotta find a local tractor ouner who needs help. fun stuff. no software required.
Sweet old tractor, simple and engineered to last. Planned obsolescence was still way off and manufacturers allowed for the fact that their products would need to be fixed using a few tools and basic knowledge! How have we allowed manufacturers like John Deere to dictate what we are 'allowed ' to fix. Guess thats progress? Great content as allways Wes! Best wishes from the UK 🇬🇧
Thanks for bringing back memories of working on grandpa and grandma's farm in Minnesota.. Learned to drive on those Johnny Poppers. I still love the sound! Thanks again! Bob in Sandwich, Il.
I have restored about a dozen 2 cylinder JD's from the 30's through the 50's. I prefer working on the vertical engines...usually the 20 series from Dubuque. Currently have a 420U torn apart. I do all our tedding and raking with 420's. Loved this video.
Wes, it looks like you enjoyed that old-school repair. No need for a scope or codes heck you didn’t even need the serial number. Very relaxing good job.
Thanks for sharing that beauty with us. Repairing a modern electronic radar gizmo in the morning and then a vintage tractor in the afternoon….there’s a good reason people come to your shop - and “we” get to be there too - thanks again.
I plowed miles and miles of dry-land cotton in West Texas on a tractor like this. Got paid $22 a week for working six days a week, sunrise to sunset. Great job, Wes.
I don't know why I got recommended this video, but I saw it and immediately recognized the thumbnail. My grandpa had a B till he passed away a few years ago. I mowed the lawn, and pulled hay racks with it as a kid in the 90s in central IA. Looked absolutely identical to yours, down to the shade of the rusty finish lol. Great video, brought back alot of memories.
I spent many hours plowing fields and cultivating row crops on a JD B, but we didn’t have a fancy one like that with the electric starter and lights. I could ease it forward using my right foot to engage the clutch. I loved the tight turning radius. It was a good piece of equipment for a young fella like me. 👍 🌽
Great video wes amazing after all they years it still functions that's when stuff was built to last great job on getting it running and with no major problems will run for many years to come I guess take care and all the best 🔧🔧🔧👍👌😀
Literally fist pumping right now. Wes you literally make my day when you post a new video. Thank you for keeping all of us wrenchers happy with your content.
Man does that bring back memories. My grandfather had one for his hobby farm. It was the first thing I ever drove. Miss 'em both. Thanks for the reminder Wes.
Wes you would do quite well with a good skidloader to move things around the homestead i use mine all around the farm for moving everything from wagons to planters with the right attachments you can do anything but make dinner. Wonderful video Wes made for a great Saturday
Jd model B. Firing order 1,2. Point gap. 0.015" Spark plug gap 0.030. Minimum timing TC. max advance 25 . Valve lash 0.020H. Both I & E. Thanks to my 44th edition Chilton's motor age service hand book with tune up data as new as 1969
I'm pretty sure that even I can't screw up the firing order. Heck, even if I did all I have to do is swap plug wires and I'm golden. Good thing my nephew does all the work on the 630. Maybe if I tackle restoring the A I'll need to figure it out.
Most guys just use a boat tank for auxiliary fuel but not Wes!! He uses a custom made antique mahogany box with a top of the line electric pump mounted to the box with a kill switch!! You are the best Wes!!!
That belt pulley was most often used to power workplace hazards. There was an amazing selection of hazards available back then and most came as standard equipment. The aftermarket hazards that were available would amaze you, but the most incredible inventions of all were the hazards that a farmer built himself.
LOL
My grandpa had a firewood chopsaw made out of wood and spit that could be driven by sucha pulley and in deed was using a belt made out of a discarded fire hose.
Does that include carnival attractions?
😂
Hazzards are part of life. Men learn to deal with them.
I was born in '49. I can relate to many of the problems. Hard to start...stalls after a short run and leaks. But it still runs. Praise-allelujah
That tractor proves that new technology is not always best. Simple is easy to repair. Have a good one.
But with this tractor JD can't rip off farmers like they can with newer ones. Bad for business!
Let's be honest, you're not making money as a farmer with this tractor.
@@TheFool2cool true, but there is equipment that could be profitable and yet simple enough the common man can work on. Unfortunately that technology is 40 to 60 years old and has been regulated out of production.
Technology is best .
There’s a simple solution for those who don’t want the commentary - mute their RUclips video player. I enjoy the commentary, as well as your sense of humor.
Running a 2020 John Deere in 2093 would be quite a thing, with having to scrounge up replacement computer parts, programming the proprietary firmware, and then getting sued by JD's immortal lawyers for daring to touch their IP.
Definitely seeing the appeal of these old tractors :) Our 1960s International back on the farm was a great tractor too, never missed a beat and super easy to maintain by ourselves.
2020 jd runs windows ce. Freeking CE. No wonder they didn't want anyone get access to the os.
It will refuse because the server was shutdown and you didnt buy the DLC.
You nailed it. Pretty sad but true
@@avlawns3037 Someone has DOOM running on the JD tablets. Seriously. It's been hacked to play fucking DOOM.
@@TestECull hahahahahahahahahahhaahhaahahah
Doom runs on anything.
Typical boss always hounding me. Wes… most underrated comedian on the internet. Just so subtle.
I have a B and 630. There is a small mesh screen in the sediment bowl originally, use NAPA Part 3039 to replace it. NAPA Screen and filter combo will keep the crude out 👍If everything is right, you do not need to choke the carb, it will fire right up even in cold weather. A repair business here in Ohio will gun drill all the passages back to spec. The cheap carb repair kits only scratch the surface.
That's cool! Another reason to love this great state!
Maybe a raditoo
Maybe a radiator shop can
These old tractors were about as complicated as a nail. They were made with the expectation that the farmer would work on them. My late father told me about the time he was using his Farmall "H" and it started to knock. He pulled the oil pan and found a loose rod bearing. He went to the local IH dealer and bought a new rod bearing insert, put it on and went back to farming!
At first I thought you were gonna say he cut a piece of his belt off and used that as a bearing. I heard that one from my dad and grandpa before.
Been there done that-it works fine. Just clean up the scuffed crank journal with emery cloth, check your clearance with plasti- gauge, good to go. Used the leather belt trick for emergency repair, make sure to soak leather in oil before installing it. Repair will get you through 1 hay cutting (small farm).🙂
I dunno, sometimes even a simple nail is too complex for some people these days. :P
I'd rather find a old abandoned piece of equipment on the side of the road and haul it home than to buy a new fancy pants rig that will cost me my life savings.
Because of that we repaired everything right where it broke. Between the service truck and set up tables we had an entire shop setting in the middle of fields at times. The only time one was loaded and hauled to town was when the rear differential housing broke, everything else on our older and new equipment was repaired/replaced where it stopped.
I’m sure you figured it out Wes, but for those who are watching and don’t know, that “hammering” noise he’s referring to from 9:54 to 10:14 is the magneto tripping (rotating).
yes, it a known as a Impulse type. Once started, centrifugal force holds the trip lever retracted.
That’s what I was wondering; did they put impulse couplers in tractor mags back then? I knew they did in at least one of the two aircraft magnetos. Cool video
It's actually an impulse magneto. When the shaft reaches a certain point the shaft is spun quickly by the impulse mechanism which results in a hotter spark. The faster a magneto spins the hotter the spark produced.
I think Wes knows more than he's letting on.
They even put them on small engines like the Fairbanks Morse “salt block”. Gravely used them on their walk behind units into at least the ‘60s
Hey Wes, you appeared to be smiling a lot during the video, I guess having a break from the electronic diagnosis work to back to basics mechanical repairs has its rewards in these modern times. Enjoyed the video.
I love how the patina of the wrench matches the tractor during the carburetor scene.
I noticed that too
I bought a 1976 JD tractor with 3 gardening attachments out of a guys backyard for $100. A little work and about $600 in parts, I have a fully functioning piece of equipment! His junk is absolutely my treasure.
My grandfather had 2 JD Bs. They had a compression release on both sides. Open them to start it. Then when it started you closed them. No battery. Coast it down a hill or crank it by hand. Great to see you working on one. I want to thank you for sharing. It brought back many happy times.
Model A's had compression petcocks.
So did the John Deere Bs
Mine didn’t have a crank. You opened the petcocks and spun the exposed flywheel by hand through the compression stroke. If it started, shut the petcocks, and when it warmed up, switch over to fuel oil and adjust the radiator lovers for proper temp. No water pump.
So did the D. You also primed the pistons by pouring fuel into the pet cocks.
@@vmitchinson Oh, my. What a recipe for a fire! We found an ancient buzz saw on a type of platform that a long belt powered from the side can. Half twist to keep it on. No safety guards of any sort. Shudder. Cut a lot of firewood with it, and nobody died.
I have my late grandpa's 1946 Farmall H he bought brand new, arrived 76 years ago this month after a 9 month wait, he ordered it with his Army bonus in December of 1945.
I was 8 years old when that tractor was new and I'm still percolating pretty good so I expect the John Deer to do so too!
You Go Mike!
Keep your motor running Mr. Horton :-)
When I grew up on a farm in Southern Illinois in the 40's and 50's there were a lot of farmers that owned the Farmall F20s and F30s. Many of the big farmers in Northern Illinois owned these tractors. I have driven a lot of them doing farm work. They were slow but work horses when you wanted to pull a big harrow or disc. Some of the farmers used the belt pulleys to grind grain for their livestock. The steering wheel caused the brakes to work on each back wheel according to which way you turned the steering wheel so the tractor could do a sharp turn. My father owned a F20 from the day he started farming until he died which was probably 40 years. My brother bought and restored several of them until he died. His son still has them in a storage building along with a lot of old cars. Thanks for the great video. It brings back lots of memories.
I imagine that it is almost relaxing to work on a non-computerized machine like that
Perhaps a welcome change, but Wes doesn't like ancient stuff with points and carbs.
He's really not old enough to have had to live with them.
You would think, until every bolt is stuck, it's been jury-rigged 14 times, and parts are unavailable
Wes had to blow the dust off his SAE wrenches and sockets.
@@jimurrata6785 he seems to do just fine around carburetors and such, watched a lot of videos in this channel dealing with carbs
@@edwardmyers1746 Farm boys will be like that...
I have seen Wes turn to his father for parts and advice.
I've also seen him tearing his hair out over a carb in a pickup.
Wasn't meant to be any kind of criticism. He is an _excellent_ mechanic from what I've watched over the years.
Wes, it's been a long time since I worked or wrenched on a "Pop"n Johnny"! Thanks for making an old man smile, and for the memories!
My grandfather and Dad ordered a B JUST BEFORE WWII - and the order was completed before pearl harbor so they got the tractor - it was 6 volt electric start with over drive trans and set up to run on kerosene (small tank to start on gas) and delivered with steel wheels - I made the mistake of letting my dad sell it back in the 70's - enjoy your videos Wes but man did this one bring back memories - nothing like the sound of a John Deer !!!!!!!
I think that everyone needs a Wes in their circle of friends. Someone who can troubleshoot and fix almost everything, has the patience of a Saint, is a gentlemen who's word is their bond and can entertain you with their knowledge and whit.
Well put.
The problem with that is that the circle of friends need to remember that the mechanic ain't just a friend - he needs to be paid!
Wes , the sound of that old girl sure brought back memories of growing up on the farm , thank you .
This video brings back a lot of memories. We have a family farm and we used to have Deere 600, 620, & 630. They are all setup virtually the same as this one. The sound of the engine and exhaust, the whine of the transmission and such as you drive. Those were the good old days lol back before cabs and AC and radios lol
It was nice to go for a tractor ride on green grass. I spent 2 hours yesterday on my 1953 Farmall M plowing 8 inches of new snow, March 12th, 2023. The old girl still runs well and works good. Bless those old tractors. Thanks for the ride, I could almost smell the green grass. I sold my 1941 hand start John Deere B to a friend 3 years ago. It still ran good too. I paid $200 bucks for it 30 years ago.
Thanks for the memories Wes!! I appreciate the work you let us in on. And needing an exterminator skill set to start / finish a repair is entertaining to say the least.
We lived 200 miles from Grandma and Grandpa. We got to visit a couple times a year. Mom and Dad would load us up in the 65 Wildcat and we'd make book. Grandpa was always busy, and if he had field work to do, he'd go out to fire up his old JD (may have been a B). He'd leave the can on the exhaust for us and shoot it off when he started the tractor just to entertain us. I rode with him some, but it wasn't very far. I remember white knuckling him to hold on. I guess potentially mashing a young grandson into paste wasn't on his to do list. That long skinny hood and the feeling of balancing on a tightrope was VERY familiar. Those were simpler times...
I did get to "help" with chores: feeding cotton seed cake to the cows, letting the chickens out and scattering feed for them, trying to rob a few nests of their eggs. The outhouse was the weirdest place. That's the first time I ever heard a cat purr and it scared the life out of me. It's a wonder I didn't fall in... She had a few kittens behind the paper goods bucket. Strange what you remember when you let the memories unfold....
I really enjoyed this.
Back in 1987 I bought a 1968 Triumph Bonnieville motorcycle from a farmer in Jackson Tennessee. It had been stored in a shed and the gas tank was rusted out. You could poke your fingers in the bottom. I bought a new tank from a guy on Hemmings Motor News and it would run for about a minute. A friend of a friend said that I needed a zenier diode. I thought he was joking. I found an old motorcycle shop just south of town and they said "Oh yeah, we have a few". I bought two, It fired up and kept running. I bought it for $400 bucks and sold it for $900. I kick myself in the ass everyday for selling it. It was a classic.
You fix their cars. You fix their trucks. You fix their 50+ year old farm equipment. You fix their snow plows in the middle of winter. Seriously Wes, you are a huge asset to your community...I hope they appreciate you!
Meanwhile, they bring all the easy, moneymaking stuff to the other mechanics, leaving Wes with all the hard stuff, which he can't bill 12 hours per working day for, like they do.
I've got a 1947 BN John Deere, still runs good, everything works well on it, pulls a two bottom trip plow very well, I'm slowly going through it taking one peace at a time cleaning it up and painting it in my small shop, hope to have it done by next spring so I can plow the garden and drive it in the 4th of July Parade as well, Love your show, like to see you working on old stuff like tractors and pickups, I grew up riding my horse and a John Deere B.
That hose to raise the pickup level is genius.
That folks, was classic "Wes", the ability to jump from today to long yesterday and not skip a beat. Thanks for that Wes, was a nice throw back to your previous "old school" successes.. Priceless. Cheers!
When I was 8 the old man plopped me in the seat of a B. First machine I ever piloted. Pulled a New Holland rake around the Okiehomie bottomland until I got the nod to run the Allis when I was tall enough to reach the pedals.
Your video looking out over the nose sure took me back. Only thing missing was ours had a straight pipe with a flapper that percolated in time to the two banger.
Love it! That thing is only 3 years older than I am, so it's continued life is just the kind of encouragement I need! She's pretty, too! Thank you, Russ!
I have a 1953 Farmall Super H that I use with a brush hog weekly. All original in Prescott Az. It sits all what we have of winter, and it starts immediately in spring. Amazing how a simple design performs so well decade after decade without out any problems. Nothing built today will be running 70 years from now. They are designed for failure so they will need repairs and replacement. Sad times lacking pride. Originally from the Southside of Chicago. Nice to be able to visit Illinois without having to be there, Great and best You tuber.
Thanks for bringing back the sounds of the B model, spent many summers riding when the paint was green, they really require two hands to operate what with the hand clutch
Had a good friend who passed away. He had 1 g model, 2 a models, a styled a and an unstyled a model. Rode them in many parades. All of his were handcrank and multi fuel. The simplicity us amazing and they still run and work. Great work as always Wes!!!
Wes,
The glow on your face when you first towed this in was priceless!
"It's about as far as I go without cleaning" - The story of my life too, Wes.
I will never understand how any one can just leave these beautiful and useful machines in a field for years.
I'd say she's held up pretty well! My dad had a '38 "B". Hand started by spinning the flywheel. Same hand clutch you have there. Only other difference is that it had 2 fuel tanks. The small one at the back was for gas for starting the engine. The 2nd, larger tank, was filled with kerosene. Once the engine warmed up, we'd switch it over to the kerosene which was cheaper than gas back then.
They referred to it as Power Fuel.
I watched this video with my 21 month old twin boys sitting on my lap. They gave you a round of applause when the tractor first started up!
Nice!
The emulsion tube as you called it is the nozzle and definitely needed pulled out and cleaned, would have never ran well. To get the brass screws out of the carb, it helps to hit them with a handheld propane torch until you get a green flash. Let them cool, then use a well fitting screwdriver and they'll come right out (usually). Loving this video!
I have a '44 B and did that exact thing to get those brass plugs out. It's a good idea to run drills through those passages to clean them out. One of the antique parts suppliers had a kit with the 3 drills you need. (Sharps maybe). There is also a rebuild kit that has new plugs with it. The pivot screws in the bowl I had to get out by the hammer and punch method.
@@merrittderr9708 I've used the torch on the pivot screws too. An impact hammer works good on them too. I got my drills from Roberts Carb back in the day but I have heard their service has gone downhill since the original owner retired
My dad bought a farm in central Indiana when I was 8 years old (1964). My uncle always came from his farm and planted for us using, I am fairly certain, a JD 'B' just like this one. Brought back some sweet memories. Thank you for bringing it back to life!
This is one reason I watch your channel, you’re not afraid to take much of anything on, makes you interesting to watch. I grew up on a farm with a B model and a G model Deere, good tractors, but like anything else, it all comes down to maintenance and care of equipment. Thanks Wes, great video from my stand point sir.
Gotta love these old Johnny poppers. Rebuilt a 39A for my uncle when I was 16 years old. That’s when I discovered that these engines were a lot like the Harley Davidson engine where one piston fired a few degrees behind the other. I sure miss the time when you could open your window on a night in may and hear the spring frogs, whippoorwills and someone working ground in the distance on an ole Johnny counting them off.
Great video it,s good to see the vintage machinery still has a life and no where to plug a computer or diagnostic machine into just straight forward mechanics ,
Haven’t seen you smile that big in a while!
Finished the video, great stuff and running good! For future reference, if you can get the ALL little plugs out with the tip I gave earlier, they really run a lot better if you carefully clean those passages, they control all the fuel flow for the idle circuit going to the needle adjustment
Wes, congrats on getting this "B" running again! I worked on a dairy farm in Maryland during my early teen years: drove John Deere "A" and "B" tractors, as well as a Ferguson-Ford and a Farmall. Last farm tractor I drove was a '63 John Deere 3010, which was a Cadillac compared to the old iron I used to drive. It was a treat seeing this ol' girl running again - thanks!
I really enjoyed this type of video and would welcome seeing more videos of this type Wes. Thank you.
you are soooo much more than a typical mechanic ..... i thought i was a good mechanic , but you can and do fix soooooo much more than i ever have , it's incredible !!!!!!!!!! be proud of your accomplishments !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Electric start certainly makes things easier! I helped a friend get his hand-start Model B running again, and man if you don't have the carb set just right during start, it'll flood out. At that point you just have to heave the engine over and over with the throttle wide open and hope it clears out.
Also, coolant level is very important on thermosiphon Model Bs. If the coolant level drops below the top of the radiator, no coolant will flow at all.
We always parked our tractors on a hill. Even the electric start 50 and 720. Give them a roll and bump the clutch in 5th gear. Easiest way to start one.
I have a 1949 John Deere B. Enjoyed this immensely.
IDENTICAL model to what my grandpa had on his Ohio farm! This instantly brought a flood of wonderful memories back of growing up on that farm & driving his John Deere before I even was in school. Sure wish I could find one like this today !!!!! Many thanks for posting this, Wes !!
My last experience with a John Deere "B" was about 45 years ago, helping a couple of friends load one on a trailer, and haul it, don't even remember where we took it, but I remember being very tired, that darned thing was heavy, even when I was young and strong.
Mr Wess you have brought back so many memories.
I can remember driving one of those bicycle tires tractor tractor's
Down the road. In the fields. A lot of years. I don't know how many young people today could get up every morning at 4:30am
Ready to go to the fields. Great content keep up the great work.
Wes, your grandpa would be proud! Always enjoy your content and personality. Thanks again. Dave
Ayo Wes, I don't comment on your vids a lot, but seriously, dude, I love your content. It's educational and entertaining. When I first came across your channel, you were rebuilding and painting a brake lathe I believe. Each of your uploads brings joy to my Saturdays.
Almost 70 yo and that tractor is me in human form but it will way out live me cause I'm close to nonrepairable . Enjoyed my friend , God bless .
Runs great and the top of the tank fix is something called Seal-All. It comes in a tube like tooth paste you may have to do it in several coats. The directions are on the packaging, my Dad used it all the time to "fix" gas tanks. Great video as always and Thanks.
Love the smile on your face when she fired up
Great work, retired old iron is the best thing
Well that went nicely Wes! Gotta love that that old engineering...it sure stood/stands the test of time! Thanks for sharing!
Full watch! Much like! Now I have an "old JD tractor itch" even though our annual local parade was a couple weeks ago so now I don't know what I'd do with it!
Great video. I love the old stuff. If it’s cast iron I’m in. Thanks for sharing
Its nice to see grown farm kids, they know what carburetor is and the right way to use an adjustable wrench. Good video and a great job Wes.
Wes, the first tractor I drove was a jd “B”. I wasn’t strong enough to turn the steering wheel without stepping on the left or right brake also. Then I moved up to a 1954 jd 60 with power steering. That was in 1959 or 1960, 6 or 7 years old. Still farming with jd equipment that is a little bigger.
This is the kinda thing I really enjoy watching people work on
I noticed that for the vintage tractor you used vintage tools ( adjustable metric and rusted wrench).
how is a adjustable wrench metric exactly?
@@Space_Reptile if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand the answer!!! LOL
@@paulcooper2897 😆 well said
@@paulcooper2897 left handed metric 😅
Hank and Wiley would be proud!
Several years ago I had the task of resurrecting several tractors from the 1940’s and1950’s that had been sitting for many years. It was a satisfying experience to find that parts were still available for these simpler old units. New batteries, spark plugs, points, condensers wires as necessary etc., fresh fuel and carburetors cleaned out made them all run and drive. This was for an estate auction and it made my day to see how much they all went for as a running, driving unit, compared to as found. As a Ford service technician, I have firsthand experience with parts obsolescence and can’t see modern tractors with all their electronics still working 70 years from now.
Impulse mag. A good practice with hand clutches is to leave them engaged. That way, you know that it is not in gear. More than one person has been run over by bumping the lever only to discover that it was in gear and it moved causing mayhem and injury. The throw-out bearing is not as critical on an over-center clutch because it's only really under pressure when moving from one position to the other. That said, the bushing between the crank and the driven plate does then take the relative motion so that's the other reason to keep it engaged. Nice original condition tractor - I would love to have one (and the acreage to put it on). There's supposed to be a gauze sitting on that fuel bowl intake, about an inch or so long
The JD that I used through sophomore of high school had a flywheel starter. What fun coming down the hill from the pasture as it would talk to you. Yes, I am that old at 75. Thank you.
As a John Deere guy who works at John Deere this was great to see.
Pup is your motivational coach. No one believes in you more than the pup does.
Glad to see the artic cat earning its keep!! That low range helps!! Wonderful video wes!!
This is what i like the best!
you messing with old stuff!
Regards Stefan from Sweden.
I just restored a 1941 9N fuel tank was also rust through on the top. Same issue, rodents and probably 80 years of dirt. Was not expecting that. Love your videos. Keep it up
i just stumbled across your channel. THANK YOU. i'm a retired high end volvo"tecnition". this brought me back to my roots. now i gotta find a local tractor ouner who needs help. fun stuff. no software required.
Sweet old tractor, simple and engineered to last. Planned obsolescence was still way off and manufacturers allowed for the fact that their products would need to be fixed using a few tools and basic knowledge! How have we allowed manufacturers like John Deere to dictate what we are 'allowed ' to fix. Guess thats progress? Great content as allways Wes! Best wishes from the UK 🇬🇧
You are so right.
Thanks for bringing back memories of working on grandpa and grandma's farm in Minnesota.. Learned to drive on those Johnny Poppers. I still love the sound! Thanks again! Bob in Sandwich, Il.
I have restored about a dozen 2 cylinder JD's from the 30's through the 50's. I prefer working on the vertical engines...usually the 20 series from Dubuque. Currently have a 420U torn apart. I do all our tedding and raking with 420's. Loved this video.
i.habe.one.LINDA L
.
I was raised with Farmalls , I’ve bought old JD’s also but my favorite jd is the 420 foot clutch is much easier for backing up wagons too
The torque of that little 2 cylinder in the 420 is amazing!
The look on your face when that thing started was great. I love it when you work on the old stuff.
Wes, it looks like you enjoyed that old-school repair. No need for a scope or codes heck you didn’t even need the serial number. Very relaxing good job.
Thanks for sharing that beauty with us. Repairing a modern electronic radar gizmo in the morning and then a vintage tractor in the afternoon….there’s a good reason people come to your shop - and “we” get to be there too - thanks again.
This is such a good looking tractor I hope someone restores this little gem. Great job as usual. Thanks for the videos.
It wouldnt take much to restore it.A few parts and a lick of paint and shes as good as new.
That puts a good smile on your face and your boss pup where ever he may be.
I plowed miles and miles of dry-land cotton in West Texas on a tractor like this. Got paid $22 a week for working six days a week, sunrise to sunset. Great job, Wes.
We had a 2 bottom plow for our old B. Is that what you plowed with?
I don't know why I got recommended this video, but I saw it and immediately recognized the thumbnail. My grandpa had a B till he passed away a few years ago. I mowed the lawn, and pulled hay racks with it as a kid in the 90s in central IA. Looked absolutely identical to yours, down to the shade of the rusty finish lol. Great video, brought back alot of memories.
I spent many hours plowing fields and cultivating row crops on a JD B, but we didn’t have a fancy one like that with the electric starter and lights. I could ease it forward using my right foot to engage the clutch. I loved the tight turning radius. It was a good piece of equipment for a young fella like me. 👍 🌽
You could really stand on a brake and spin those things around. One of my favorite things about them.
That smile once it fires up! This is the reason I started watching u
Hopefully you know what the clutch is...and carburetor is 😮
Great video wes amazing after all they years it still functions that's when stuff was built to last great job on getting it running and with no major problems will run for many years to come I guess take care and all the best 🔧🔧🔧👍👌😀
I was 3 years old and my dad sat me on his lap as he drove this tractor. Fond memories.
Literally fist pumping right now. Wes you literally make my day when you post a new video. Thank you for keeping all of us wrenchers happy with your content.
Man does that bring back memories. My grandfather had one for his hobby farm. It was the first thing I ever drove. Miss 'em both. Thanks for the reminder Wes.
Wes you would do quite well with a good skidloader to move things around the homestead i use mine all around the farm for moving everything from wagons to planters with the right attachments you can do anything but make dinner. Wonderful video Wes made for a great Saturday
A forklift would do. If only there was one laying around.
Maybe even make dinner if the day is right and you did plenty of work to heat up the covers
I owned a 37 Model A JD Hand start it ran great ,super old tractor this episode was like a day in the life for me ,Thank you
Awesome video as always Wes. What a great old tractor, nice to see it running!!
My uncle has a B model. Restored it himself including a new paint job and decals. Great work, Wes.
Honestly, if that was mine I'd leave it exactly as it is - people pay a fortune for that level of petina 👍
The look on your face showed that you were really pleased with your self “priceless “
Jd model B.
Firing order 1,2.
Point gap. 0.015"
Spark plug gap 0.030.
Minimum timing TC.
max advance 25 .
Valve lash 0.020H. Both I & E. Thanks to my 44th edition Chilton's motor age service hand book with tune up data as new as 1969
I'm pretty sure that even I can't screw up the firing order. Heck, even if I did all I have to do is swap plug wires and I'm golden. Good thing my nephew does all the work on the 630. Maybe if I tackle restoring the A I'll need to figure it out.
Most guys just use a boat tank for auxiliary fuel but not Wes!! He uses a custom made antique mahogany box with a top of the line electric pump mounted to the box with a kill switch!! You are the best Wes!!!
Hey Wes, long since you have worked on a tractor. So no software locked repairability issues to deal with then 😏. 70yrs old and it still runs....🤯
Nope, open source.
@@WatchWesWork curious as to what your neighbor is actually going to use it for...
@@spenmac It's just a toy.